Written answers

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Visa Applications

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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711. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that a visa application (details supplied) will be processed as a matter of urgency as the delay has cost the person their job and is having a very real and negative impact on their mental and physical health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40552/23]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for an extension of student conditions was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 13 July 2023 and continues to be processed.

The Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) is designed to allow graduates of Irish universities an opportunity to obtain graduate level employment and an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is expected that those graduates will obtain such employment and employment permits within the time frame of their Stamp 1G immigration permission.

To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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712. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to indicate if and when a visa is likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been awaiting decision for a number of weeks, who is employment permit approved and whose employer requires their assistance as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40555/23]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 19 July 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi office on the 26 July 2023, where it awaits examination and processing.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions

It should also be noted that the granting of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) has no bearing on whether a visa will be subsequently granted. There are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

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